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Elaine Riley Obituary

Elaine Riley, an actress who appeared in dozens of 1940s and '50s motion pictures, has died, according to multiple news sources. Riley, who died Dec. 7, was 98.

The cause of death was not announced.

A former pinup model, Riley won the beauty pageant in her hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1937, she was runner-up in the Miss Ohio Beauty Pageant. She also did some modeling work in New York City.

Her first movie role was in 1944's "Higher and Higher," a musical that also starred Frank Sinatra in his debut movie role. Other credits, mostly in small roles, include "The Stork Club," "Texas Bad Man" and "Pardners."

After signing with Paramount Pictures in 1946, she became the leading lady for Westerns that featured Hopalong Cassidy, played by the actor William Boyd.

Starting in 1951, she co-starred on the TV Western series "The Gene Autry Show," "The Range Rider" and "Hopalong Cassidy."

She retired from acting in 1960.

Riley received the Golden Boot Award in 2004. The award goes to actors and crew members who have made important contributions to the genre of Western movies and TV programs. Other recipients of the award that year were fellow actors Pat Hingle, Noel Neill, Gale Storm and Val Kilmer.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 45 years, actor Richard Martin; he died in 1994.

Elaine Riley (Everett Collection)

Elaine Riley, an actress who appeared in dozens of 1940s and '50s motion pictures, has died, according to multiple news sources. Riley, who died Dec. 7, was 98.

The cause of death was not announced.

A former pinup model, Riley won the beauty pageant in her hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1937, she was runner-up in the Miss Ohio Beauty Pageant. She also did some modeling work in New York City.

Her first movie role was in 1944's "Higher and Higher," a musical that also starred Frank Sinatra in his debut movie role. Other credits, mostly in small roles, include "The Stork Club," "Texas Bad Man" and "Pardners."

After signing with Paramount Pictures in 1946, she became the leading lady for Westerns that featured Hopalong Cassidy, played by the actor William Boyd.

Starting in 1951, she co-starred on the TV Western series "The Gene Autry Show," "The Range Rider" and "Hopalong Cassidy."

She retired from acting in 1960.

Riley received the Golden Boot Award in 2004. The award goes to actors and crew members who have made important contributions to the genre of Western movies and TV programs. Other recipients of the award that year were fellow actors Pat Hingle, Noel Neill, Gale Storm and Val Kilmer.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 45 years, actor Richard Martin; he died in 1994.